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In coordination with national experts, Second Nature has developed publications and resources to help campuses move toward carbon neutrality and implement the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments.
Some of the publications listed below are older; however, they remain relevant to college and university leaders and to practitioners of sustainability as institutions work towards a more carbon-free situation.
Find our Impact and Annual Reports here.
Not finding a publication that you are looking for? Contact Us: [email protected].
Eastern Connecticut State University Town of Windham Community Resilience Building Workshop Summary of Findings | May 2017
This resource is a detailed Summary of Findings compiled by Eastern Connecticut State University following a Community Resilience Building workshop with the Town of Windham, Connecticut in 2017. This was an opportunity for stakeholders from the town and campus to come together and discuss climate resilience. The workshop was facilitated by The Nature Conservancy and Second Nature.
The Community Resilience Building (CRB) workshop is a tool developed by The Nature Conservancy, which guides communities through the process of organizing and executing a community resilience building workshop. During the workshop participants define climate hazards, identify strengths and vulnerabilities, and develop and prioritize actions to build resilience.
Why is Resilience Important?
This short, downloadable handout explores why climate resilience is important, why the time to act is now, and why higher education is the ideal place to take action.
What is Climate Resilience?
Large-Scale Renewables: The Next Chapter in Higher Education Sustainability Leadership
Higher education is uniquely positioned to both expand and benefit from climate leadership. Many universities and colleges have substantially stepped up their commitments and efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG). However, the ‘climate gap’ toward reaching these commitments is widening, as campuses become more technology and electricity intensive. Large-scale renewable energy (LSRE) provides higher education with an attractive solution to close this gap and show climate leadership, while reducing long-term electricity cost and managing risk.
This white paper, created in partnership with CustomerFirst Renewables, walks through the opportunities and challenges of LSRE projects, how to set them up, and firsts steps.
Colby College: Developing a Diverse Solar & Carbon Neutrality Strategy
The case study series “Solar University Network: Innovation in Solar Energy Finance & Development” highlights higher education investment in solar energy projects. The purpose of these case studies is to showcase working financial models for universities and other higher education institutions to invest in solar energy on campus. In this case study, we look at how Colby College uses a variety of strategies including on-campus production, green power purchasing and carbon offsets to tackle their greenhouse gas emissions.
Other resources from this project.
Luther College: Third-Party, Supporter-Financed Campus Solar. An Approach and a Partnership that Works.
The case study series “Solar University Network: Innovation in Solar Energy Finance & Development” highlights higher education investment in solar energy projects. The purpose of these case studies is to showcase working financial models for universities and other higher education institutions to invest in solar energy on campus. In this case study, we look at how Luther College uses donors and supporters to fund their renewable energy campus initiatives.
Other resources from this project.
